Season preview: York-Adams girls' volleyball teams look for more state magic

Delone Catholic's Maddie Clabaugh, 1, and Olivia Bunch in action during the team's victory over York Catholic 3-1 in the District 3 finals at Dallastown High School on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Photo: Jason Plotkin, York Daily Record)Buy Photo

The season finally closed on York-Adams girls' volleyball in last seasons' state final, when Delone Catholic lined up for photographs just moments after losing the Class 2A championship game. Some players wiped away tears after embracing family members, but those same girls would quickly note that reaching the state final was the big accomplishment.

They had put in the hours and been rewarded with an unforgettable experience.

Similar to the success York has had in boys' volleyball, the York-Adams league appears loaded with talent, and it's not out of the question to think two teams could play for a state title this year.

Defending league champion West York lost two impressive contributors to graduation, yet it manages to return one GameTimePA first-team all-star and another standout player that missed all of last season.

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The West York volleyball team scored eight straight points to take the fourth set over Allentown Central Catholic Tuesday, but lost the fifth set to lose in the PIAA Class 3A semifinals.
Matt Allibone

Class 2A state finalist Delone Catholic loses two all-state players, returns two all-state players and still has one of the deepest rosters in the region — and maybe the state.

And we haven't even touched on the YAIAA big-school division, which should feature a competitive title chase for several programs before the District 3 tournaments even begin.

Here's a preview of stories to watch in 2018, with all records referencing last season's record:

Division I

Central York (15-3) is the defending Division I champion, falling one victory shy of reaching the state tournament in Class 4A. The Panthers lost GameTimePA first-team all-stars Emily Wilt and Marley Anderson to graduation as well as opposite hitter MacKenna Caruso. The Panthers return junior outside hitter Alexa Shorts as well as middle hitters Sydnie Johnson and Jenna Arganbright. Setter Linnea Prudell also returns.

South Western (13-5) was the runner-up in Division I a year ago, and it returns five starters. Sophomore middle hitter Emma Filipovits, senior setter Maddy McMaster, senior outside hitter Savanna Stephens, junior all-around player Ali St. Rose and senior outside hitter Megan Wolf should challenge Central for the regular-season crown. The Mustangs had their season end in a second-round sweep at the hands of eventual district champion Hempfield.

Dallastown (12-9) lost outsdie hitter Delaney Kolb (Rutgers) to graduation. It returns outside hitter Lydia Stump and 6-foot-2 middle hitter Tatiana Matuszewski. The Wildcats will need to replace its setter, with sophomore Izzy Ream and senior Alexa Knaub in competition to fill the spot. Other than Matuszewski, Dallastown does not have great height. So look for Dallastown to rely on its defensive and passing skills to try to win games.

Spring Grove (13-7) is coming off a successful season. The Rockets saw their season end in the second round of the district tournament. Spring Grove lost three starters to graduation, and expect two starters back this season. Senior Hailey Marcionette and junior Kaylyn Zeigler could see time at outside hitter and setter.

Dover (7-8) looks to improve from a .500 regular-season record. Dover returns five starters from a year ago, including three girls — middle hitter Emma Davis, setter Abby Diehl and outside hitter Chayce Hoffman — that have started since their freshmen seasons. The Eagles lost one player to graduation. And Davis, who stands 6-foot-1, could be a dominant hitter in a league not blessed with great height.

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Dover's Emma Davis. (Photo: Ty Lohr, York Daily Record)

Red Lion (1-16) went through a rebuilding year after winning the program's first District 3 championship in 2016. Head coach Heather Schoemaker stepped down in the offseason, but Kelsey Fuller takes over after serving as an assistant for several years — including during the district title run. The Lions hope to return to the top half of the division, with five starters back in the fold. Maddie Grim is an NCAA Division I recruit, and she will help the program as it welcomes a large freshman class. The squad also welcomes back four other girls, Jenna Enfield, Ashley Baughman, Katie Thompsonn and Makenna Morris, with starting experience.

Northeastern (5-13) jumps up to Division I this season, and New Oxford drops down to Division II.

Division II

West York (24-3) has put together back-to-back impressive runs in the state tournament, falling to Allentown Central Catholic in the state semifinals in 2016 and 2017. Last year's loss was a heartbreaker, when ACC pulled out a 3-2 victory by defeating the Bulldogs, 15-13, in the fifth game. The Bulldogs lost some real talent to graduation in outside hitter Kate Tate and GameTimePA YAIAA Player of the Year setter Trilby Kite (Georgian Court University), but Tesia Thomas returns and could move from middle hitter to outside this season. Also back on the floor is attacker Julia Rill, a difference-maker who missed all of last season to a torn ACL.

York Suburban (17-4) has been one of the consistent winners in the league for years, and the Trojans have come close to putting together a long postseason run. Last year, the season ended in the second round of the district tournament, but this year the young core of the team returns. The Trojans could keep a Division II race competitive. Junior setter Lauren Guyer, weak side hitter junior Alyssa Hocker, libero Hailey James, hitter Lulu Mooney and Maia Carney all return for a still relatively young but experienced squad. Eliana Rodgers and Nat Saxton are also two players to watch. This year's team is different because the young core has played together so long, with many of the girls playing alongside each other since the seventh grade.

New Oxford (3-12) looks to make major strides under new coach Dwayne Warehime, who spent five years with Central York girls' and eight years with Central's boys' volleyball programs. Warehime left Central to lead the New Oxford program, where he thought the school had the right combination to build a powerhouse program. He has attempted to instill a positive, team-first attitude with his players. The Colonials return starters senior Sierra Schwartz, senior Madison Young and junior Torrin Kelley. Although not blessed with great height, New Oxford believes it can be competitive.

"It's refreshing," New Oxford senior Ally Culp said. "This year has been a breath of fresh air."

Eastern York (12-7) earned one of the final spots in the district playoffs a year ago. Gettysburg (10-8) just missed out on the district playoffs a year ago, placing 17th in the power rankings when the top 16 advance. Susquehannock (9-8), Kennard-Dale (6-13) and York High (2-16) are looking to improve.

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Delone Catholic's Molly Raville, left, and Kristin Bollinger in action during the team's victory over York Catholic 3-1 in the District 3 finals at Dallastown High School on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Photo: Jason Plotkin, York Daily Record)

Division III

Don't expect any letdown from Delone Catholic (22-2), even after it lost two all-state selections in setter Chloe Kindig, a two-year starter at setter, and outside hitter Autumn Altland (Bloomsburg University) to graduation. Two all-state players return in Maddie Clabaugh, who at 5-foot-10 should help ease the loss of Altland, and libero Lauren Trummer. The Squirettes did not lose a best-of-five match until the league tournament final last season, when West York ended their unbeaten run. The Squirettes rebounded to win the District 3 Class 2A title, defeating York Catholic in four games. Molly Raville, Hannah Wells, Tessa Beauchat and Maggie Rickrode all return. Junior Katie Kohler, junior Deanna Klunk, Raville and Clabaugh have all spent time at the setter position this preseason. Typically one of the deepest teams in the league, dressing 32 for postseason games last season, Delone could start the season with 35 players in grades nine through 12.

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York Catholic's McKenna Walker. (Photo: Ty Lohr, York Daily Record)

It's no secret York Catholic (15-6) has been chasing Delone Catholic. The Irish managed to win a game against Delone in the district title game, and while that might not sound like a breakthrough it did mark the only game Delone would drop in the district or state playoffs before losing the final three games to Freeport in the state final. The Irish lose 6-2 Abby Pilkey (West Chester University) to graduation. But the Irish bring back libero McKenna Walker, setter Megan Daugherty, outside hitter Bella Kepner and Julia Yanick. At 5-foot-9, sophomore Hope Leavy-Gaskins could be a player to watch. Her family relocated to the area from Hagerstown, Maryland, and she will play varsity.

Littlestown (10-7) is coming off a district appearance. The Bolts will be led by Jess Dunbar. Bermudian Springs (8-9), York County Tech (5-14), Hanover (5-15), Fairfield (3-13) look to improve.